E Bay FLINT PYRITES 'FIRE STEEL' TINDER LIGHTER

[Seoras]

Came across this on Ebay Flint Pyrites 'Fire Steel' Tinder Lighter

Not going to bid as I have spent my pennies for the month.

Question is has anyone come across something similar?

It seems that the tinder is inserted into the slot and when it is smoldering the striker is whirled on a piece of string to help the tinder to flame.

George

 

[gregorach]

Hmmm.... I think the seller is a little confused. Pyrite is a subtitue for the steel, not the flint...

 

[Seoras]

Was wandering about that myself.

Would be interested to find out if anyone has strikers similar to this though.

 

[oops56]

Only one bad thing as you swing it around if the tender fell out a forest fire

 

[Seoras]

Certainley wouldn't make my day either.

Maybe they did not catch on because of the tinder tending to slip out.

Must be some info out there on these devices.

 

[Mike Ameling]

IMHO, it sounds like description has a bunch of "folklore" mixed into it.

It is possible that this is a carbon steel flint striker - that has been forged/shaped/ground/filed/stamped and finished into a fancier shape. I can't tell from the picture if the front edge has that classic "ladder" type wear pattern you get from striking it with flint - too dark/shadowy. A clear picture of that edge would "tell the tale". The back edge has that little extended foot sticking out which would severly limit using that side as a flint striker. And the bottom is just too short for effective use. You also have to worry about accidentally hitting those extensions on the top when striking sparks.

The slot idea and swinging it around your head are all theoretically possible, but probably more associated with a "folklore" type story.

Yes, iron pyrite replaces the steel when striking sparks with flint. So that part of the description is wrong. And, of course, I am ignoring the modern keyring.

I personally haven't seen anything like this shape/style flint striker in the books, journals, and museums that I know of.

Interesting piece.

Just my humble thoughts to share. Take them as such.

Mike Ameling

 

[oops56]

Does this help looks like a old file

click to make bigger


I think they mite be wrong here is stove top lid opener

 

[oops56]

Check my post just before this i thinks i got the answerer

 

[gregorach]

Yep, it's a distinct possibility...

 

[Seoras]

Thanks for the info on this guys. Really appreciate it.

Must be unusual if you have never come across it before Mike as I see from the strikers you produce that you have researched the subject in depth.

Like the idea oops56 that it has been reworked from a stove top lid opener. You can really see the similarities. The idea came to you and why not to some Blacksmith who was thinking of a new project to do wherever or whenever that might have been.

Be interested to see how much it goes for and if anybody on the forum does buy it let us know if it works.

George